More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
We’re all a lot of where we come from, just as much as we are the people who raised us and who we’ve met along the way.
Charlie twists the gold ring on his finger. A Faust Academy crest of a falcon and crown rest in the center. He never had to tell me, but I know that’s his father’s high school ring.
“If people think that I’m betraying my family, they’re dumber than I thought,” he says. “Which is saying something because I think the human race has a chronic case of idiocy.”
“With that level of sarcasm, you don’t deserve to hear a single one of my fantastic ideas. Plug your ears, brother.” Charlie doesn’t make a move. Tom glares. Charlie’s brows rise. “Oh, you’re being serious? You do know I’m not a toddler.”
“Do you ask all your co-workers for a kiss?” he shoots back. I smile, trying not to disintegrate in my seat from this conversation. “Only the cute ones,” I say, popping a chip in my mouth. As smooth as that was, I regret it. Oliveira, stop flirting with the straight boy. Holy fucking shit, I’m hopeless.
“Then I made the right decision with this show. Aunt Lily always says she can predict love, but she has nothing on me.”
“L’enfer est vide et tous les diables sont ici.” Hell is empty and all the devils are here. I recognize the Shakespeare quote. The Tempest.
“Getting lost in the woods together—one of my favorite romance tropes,”
“Tell me, bro, would you date me?” “No,” Farrow says slowly, “because I’m married to Maximoff Hale.”
“The brightest light shining during the darkest hour,” I smile. “That’s pretty good.” “I’m only doing my best work with you, Long Beach.” I smile, but my lips fall gradually. “What happens when the light dims? You’ll still be interested then?” “Oh yeah.” Oscar nods. “I’m every star circling around you. You need a spark, I’m there.” He says it like a promise.
Sex on the floor in front of a fire in Greenland. With Oscar Oliveira. I couldn’t have written the script any better.
He’s told me countless times, “I cum on women. Not in them.”
A Secret about Akara Kitsuwon: my college-friend raved about Akara for four weeks after they hooked up. He restrained her to a headboard with rope and made her come five times.
A Secret about Charlie Cobalt: He told me that he’s the one who introduced Beckett to cocaine, and he’s regretted it ever since.
“Tell me a secret that you’ve never told anyone else.” We have a short window of time. Joana is at the door, but I take advantage of every single second. Holding his waist, I lean in and whisper, “Estou apaixonado por voçê.” I translate, “I’m in love with you.”
“You’re having a bad trip. It’s amplifying your anxiety. Just take a deeper breath.” Charlie inhales deeply but never exhales. He holds in oxygen for an agonizing long minute. “Breathe out, bro,” Oscar says.
“I figured it out.” His eyes rest on mine for longer. “I’m pansexual,” I breathe,
“Who is that?” To free my hands, I bite onto the cookie I’m eating and flip through the program. Oscar is checking NDAs for her name on his cellphone. Since Beckett works here, the dancers have had background security checks. Oscar finds her first. He leans forward and whispers, “Roxanne Ruiz. She’s eighteen.” Charlie just turns forward, but I catch his smile.
I smile like the next words exist deep inside me and have wanted to be set free for so, so long. “I was never rewriting my life when I met you. There was no rewrite, Oscar, because this is how it was always supposed to be written. I am supposed to be with you. You are supposed to be with me. Nothing else makes sense.” His eyes glass. I continue on, “I love you. I love run-around-the-world Oscar. I love flirty Oscar, tactical bodyguard Oscar, snack monster Oscar”—everyone laughs, but I hold onto his laughter, his joyful tears that stream like mine—“my number one fan Oscar, sexy Oscar,
...more
“But you’d do it?” “Yeah.” His eyes glitter. “No question.” He adds with that charming smile, “It was a perfect pitch, Oscar. I’d buy the show.” “Yeah, the network thought so too. We’re straight to TV.”
